Honda Pilot

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Real Reviews, All Verified Owners

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Honda PilotReviews & Ratings

3rd Generation Honda Pilot

2016 - Present

Top Positive Review

"Honda is a breath of fresh air and has set new standards that other car companies haven't been able to match.."

Charles»PA»2016 Honda PilotPurchased Dec 2015|Verified

The car is roomy, comfortable, reliable great looks and the tech features are incredible, especially keeping me in my lane over long road trips. I've owned nothing but Honda's for over 20 years. I have owned Pilot's ( I love the style and tech progression over the years) and my wife is on her 4th CRV.. My children also own Accords and an Odyssey. Reliability, Dependability, engineering that is exceptional.

Originally Reviewed on Apr 9, 2016

I have owned Honda Pilots, Accords and CRV's for almost 20 years and only once have I had a problem and that was with the transmission on an older Accord, which was out of warranty for years I took it to an out of town dealer, they said that Honda had experienced some problems with the transmissions of that particular year and they would fix it for free. Before Honda, I had always purchased Chevrolet SUV's and I consistenly had little problems going on with those vehicles and I would guarantee they would never have done that. Honda is a breath of fresh air and has set new standards that other car companies haven't been able to match.....Thank you.

Top Critical Review

"The cruise control is frustrating because it is very sensitive to another car pulling in front of you and will over brake (in m..."

Steven»VA»2016 Honda PilotPurchased Dec 2015|Verified

The cruise control is frustrating because it is very sensitive to another car pulling in front of you and will over brake (in my opinion) to regain a safe distance. The over braking is killing mileage and possibly could cause a car following you to almost have an accident trying to avoid the over braking applied by the cruise control. It makes the cruise control unsafe in moderate traffic and unusable in anything more than moderate traffic. It is the worst feature of the new Pilot and has taken a lot of the shine off of getting the Pilot.

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Showing 1 - 20 of 48 reviews for 2016 - 2017 Pilot filtered by:

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Most Helpful

Updated on May 2, 2016

"I love my 2016 Pilot more than my 2012 Pilot"

Laura»SC»2016 Honda Pilot|Purchased Jan 2016|Verified

I loved my 2012 Honda Pilot but love my 2016 even more. My 2012 was higher from the ground, which I liked for awhile. I found I could see a lot better with the 2016 model. The backup camera is a lot better in the 2016. I like the cover when I have the seats down and like the velcro. I liked the look of the mufflers and back bumper on my 2012 better and the heated seats were warmer in the 2012. The technology in the 2016 Pilot is one of its strengths as is the good gas mileage and easy to read information panel. My grandsons love the RES, and I love the different audio options. I had fewer than 60,000 miles on my 2012, and it was great for 4 years. The new look and new technology of the 2016 makes me glad I traded. I am the owner and only driver unless my friends at work talk me into letting them drive. Everyone that drives it loves it.

Originally Reviewed on Mar 1, 2016

I love my 2016 Pilot more than my 2012 Pilot. My friends always want to drive my car and want me to use my car for the short as well as the long trips. The ride is quiet and smooth. The comfort for all of the passengers is good. There is plenty of cargo room. My grandsons love the RES. I love the new technology so I can chose different forms for music. I even love the velcro on the floor mats and tray over the third seat. The remote start is great to warm and cool the car.

"You owe it to us to excited us, and challenge our notions of what we think a car should be"

Richard»NY»2017 Honda Pilot|Purchased Dec 2016|Verified

Yes. I hate the stupid push and push again to release the emergency brake, brake. I can't tell you how many times i get in the car and accidentally hit the emergency brake pedal with my left foot, releasing it - and suddenly it's like another emergency where my car is rolling down a hill.
And this is because the only way to put the car in accessory mode after the engine is on so i can listen to my radio, or stay on a phone call over the car's bluetooth is to leave the car in drive or neutral, press down once on the emergency brake, and then press the big stupid big red button. So unless i want to burn through gas like a pirate on holiday, this is the only work-around to the engineer's inability to remember how cars have worked for the past 100 years. So then i get out of my car, to get my kid from the bus, hop back in the car only to have my left foot hit the emergency brake by accident and boom, the car's rolling down the street like and old Keystone Cops episode.
I know, i'm being too hard on your guys. But honestly, cars are the best way to transport folks, both physically and emotionally. It's unique thing, a car. And it's made it into the he mindset of every kid who ever wanted to go faster than his bicycle would take him. You're building dreams, boys. Four wheels, a motor, a couple of seats and a big old dream turned real. And when you get the combination right, it's like going to the movies with your pockets filled with outside candy and donuts. It's both fun and exhilarating and you know you got away with something other folks never thought of. You owe it to us to excited us, and challenge our notions of what we think a car should be. But to disappoint us with less than incredibly fantastic solutions... Well that's like stale popcorn and sticky candy bar.
Sincerely, Rick Ardito.

"Comfortable seats, even the back ones"

Javier»NY»2016 Honda Pilot|Purchased Oct 2015|Verified

The 2016 Pilot is the best one ever! This is the 4th one I have driven, and I can't find a single flaw. It drives so smoothly, just like a car. Excellent turning radio. Comfortable seats, even the back ones! They feel more padded and comfortable than before. The sunk compartment on the trunk is awesome for small runs to the supermarket or for small cargo. The interior space feels bigger. The right turn camera is very cool and useful. The new storage compartments on the door are worth mentioning. Honda finally caught up with other makers on the keyless start and the remote start. The display on the dashboard (in front of the driver) is pretty cool with the current road and the navigation system references. Seriously, this new model made me fall in love with the Pilot all over again! Even the sound of the turning signal is better now!

"Radio doesn't work right and electronics panel scene buttons are not awesome"

Rodney»OH»2016 Honda Pilot|Purchased Feb 2016|Verified

The interior plastic looks out of fit or place with the upgraded leather seats. The sound system controls on the steering wheel are not great--you can't use them to scan or seek through the radio other than pre-sets and the up/down control for volume doesn't work quickly like a toggle or a wheel would offer. The sound on the sound system is tinny, like lots of systems today: dumbed-down sound inferior to CD players from 10-15 year ago but, hey, the convenience of streaming (sarcasm).
The screen for radio/temperature is temperamental when touched. It's slow to react, doesn't change more than one bar at a time very quickly, and is a distraction to the driver. My radio tuner doesn't hold stations. It's a known Honda problem with no fix.

Originally Reviewed on Apr 5, 2016

Radio doesn't work right and electronics panel scene buttons are not awesome. It looks good but doesn't perform to looks.

"We went ahead with the new lease for reasons other than looks"

Robert»NC»2016 Honda Pilot|Purchased Nov 2015|Verified

Rides 8 passengers comfortably, very reliable, very good gas mileage for a car this size. I am very happy with my 2016 Honda Pilot! I resisted the style change for 2016 but it has grown on me with time. It is a better ride, seems tighter and quieter, and gets great gas mileage.

Updated on Mar 21, 2016

The audio system display is very difficult to see in bright sunlight, especially when dusty. We like the pre-2016 Honda Pilot design much better. The 2016 looks like everything else on the road, no longer unique. Had to pay for class 3 hitch to continue carrying our bikes since it is no longer included as basic equipment. Had to pay for OEM roof rails and crossbars to continue carrying our stand up paddle boards because the rear window no longer opens. Other than these expensive annoyances, we are very happy with our 2016 Pilot.

Originally Reviewed on Feb 2, 2016

We are not embracing the new look of the Honda Pilot for 2016. We went ahead with the new lease for reasons other than looks. Along with the new look, they did away with the rear window that opens forcing us to find another way to transport our stand up paddle boards. They also did away with the standard trailer hitch forcing us to purchase a hitch so that we could continue to use our bicycle carrier. Other than these disappointments, we are very happy with our new Pilot.

"The cruise control is frustrating because it is very sensitive to another car pulling in front of you and will over brake (in m..."

Steven»VA»2016 Honda Pilot|Purchased Dec 2015|Verified

The cruise control is frustrating because it is very sensitive to another car pulling in front of you and will over brake (in my opinion) to regain a safe distance. The over braking is killing mileage and possibly could cause a car following you to almost have an accident trying to avoid the over braking applied by the cruise control. It makes the cruise control unsafe in moderate traffic and unusable in anything more than moderate traffic. It is the worst feature of the new Pilot and has taken a lot of the shine off of getting the Pilot.

"I am liking my new Honda Pilot more now than when I purchased it in April"

Ronald»AL»2016 Honda Pilot|Purchased Sep 2016|Verified

My Honda Pilot Elite has new technologies that still has some flaws. The Lane Keep Assist will not keep you in your lane. An oncoming car in the opposite lane on a two-way street is viewed as a potential head-on collision. I wish the car could actually stop in an emergency situation. Instead the car will slow you down to 20 MPH, then you are on your own. I do like the Adaptive Cruise Control, the LED headlights with Auto High Beam, and Rain Sensing Wipers. With colder temperatures, I turned on the Heated Steering Wheel and found a new best friend! I am liking my new Honda Pilot more now than when I purchased it in April.

Originally Reviewed on Oct 31, 2016

Give us a knob for tuning the radio. Include a built in Wi-Fi. Go back to a bench seat on second row (on the Elite).

"elbow rest for front seat should be little bit more bigger and sturdier
bigger cup holder on front door"

Blind spot monitoring/sensor should be standard or should be available to lower trim level
need to rework on transmission
surround view camera should be available as option.
elbow rest for front seat should be little bit more bigger and sturdier
bigger cup holder on front door.

"My only complaint is that has no CD player"

Darrel»IA»2016 Honda Pilot|Purchased Oct 2015|Verified

Value...Great vehicle for the price paid. Outstanding fuel mileage. Great interior use of space and outstanding comfort and safety. It drives and performs beautifully as all my Hondas have. I love it and so will you! My only complaint is that has no CD player. Guess that makes it darn near perfect. I love my Pilot!

Updated on Mar 22, 2016

Not much into technology. The Pilot checked off all the important boxes when I compared different brands of vehicles. As a Honda owner I was confident the Pilot would be economical and dependable vehicle for my family.

Originally Reviewed on Jan 30, 2016

At night, the interior lights blind you when trying to use the HomeLink buttons. HomeLink: Not strong enough signal to always open garage doors. Interior side windows fog over making it hard to see out side widows. Other than this, I love my Pilot.

"I feel like I lose so much power when it is on when I accelerate from stop sign/stop light"

Lora»IN»2016 Honda Pilot|Purchased Oct 2015|Verified

Love it!
Have had issues with stereo fading in/out occasionally, even though signal is good.
Also, wish compass could be displayed at all times, or at least the direction I am going.
Sometimes wish the eco drive was like my old Odyssey where it came on automatically when your engine was warm and you were at a consistent driving speed. I feel like I lose so much power when it is on when I accelerate from stop sign/stop light. I know this helps with fuel mileage, but I find myself turning it off in town because of this.

"more room, better ride, better gas millage, nicer styling"

David»IN»2016 Honda Pilot|Purchased Oct 2015|Verified

we had a 2015 pilot, the radio was easier to navigate thru, easier to search for other stations when in xm radio, the new system is difficult to operate. other than that the new 2016 pilot is every thing I figured it would be. more room, better ride, better gas millage, nicer styling.

Originally Reviewed on Feb 4, 2016

We are really enjoying the new pilot. the 1 change made that I wish was not made is in the dash area.
the 2015 pilot had a tray built in the dash area on the passenger side, it was removed. I can tell you
that it was handy.

"The wear and tear on the vehicle seems to FAR outweigh the benefits of the slightly reduced gas mileage"

Kevin»VA»2016 Honda Pilot|Purchased Aug 2016|Verified

The auto idle stop is horrible and the worst feature ever. It has actually caused safety concerns when trying to quickly merge into oncoming traffic from a stopped position. It turns on and off too frequently is and often very rough starting back up when resuming speed. It wouldn't be as bad if you could turn it off permanently, but having it reactivate after every restart is very frustrating. The feature is also awkward and annoying to other passengers in the vehicle. The wear and tear on the vehicle seems to FAR outweigh the benefits of the slightly reduced gas mileage. It would be nice if the ACC would operate to a stopped speed for use during rush hour traffic. There are scenarios where the ACC and LKAS seem a bit too sensitive.

"Have owned for 10 months/12,000 miles, and mechanically, the vehicle has performed very well"

Michael»NY»2016 Honda Pilot|Purchased Oct 2015|Verified

Overall very happy. Have owned for 10 months/12,000 miles, and mechanically, the vehicle has performed very well. Have had one major issue with the FM radio since day one—the tuner seems to be malfunctioning, and the volume constantly fades in and out.

Originally Reviewed on Apr 9, 2016

1. Major problem with the FM radio tuner. The volume fades in and out—causes terrible listening experience. Dealer has ordered a new radio, I am awaiting the repair. 2. Seems to be problem with transmission downshifting when braking and coming to stop—unable to stop vehicle smoothly.

"Give me a car with a shift lever, a stand alone radio with knobs and buttons and a large screen GPS"

Gerald»SC»2016 Honda Pilot|Purchased Sep 2016|Verified

Do NOT buy a car with a pushbutton transmission . Give me a car with a shift lever, a stand alone radio with knobs and buttons and a large screen GPS. Do NOT integrate audio into GPS screen.

Originally Reviewed on Dec 9, 2016

The push button transmission is awful. Awkward, distracting and serves no purpose that I can determine.
Integration of radio into touch screen is bad. A simple radio with knobs and buttons much superior. The Garmin gps is super otherwise.

"I like the increased gas milage but hate the fact that the car sits so low"

Teru»VA»2016 Honda Pilot|Purchased Mar 2016|Verified

I hate the lines that Honda has chosen for this vehicle--it looks more like a station wagon than my traditional Honda Pilots (I've owned four). I should have purchased the Ford Explorer instead. The electronics in the Pilot have improved, but it is not user-friendly. The passenger cannot use many of the electronic features while the car is moving, which makes it more dangerous because driver has to physically access numbers on the cellphone.
I like the increased gas milage but hate the fact that the car sits so low. The lines of the vehicle are out of proportion and make it longer but lower.

"There is also something weird about the XM radio"

Jennifer»TX»2016 Honda Pilot|Purchased Jul 2016|Verified

This vehicle has been perfect for our family and GREAT on road trips. It has the seating of a minivan but not the exact look. The drawback is storage. We need to keep half of the third row laid down to load luggage for my family. ( I love that it splits though.) If you have a family that would need to use all the seating on a road trip, I would recommend getting a luggage carrier for the top of the vehicle. Or actually go with a minivan. The trim on the front top roof is coming up. We will have to take it back to the dealer to get it fixed. There is also something weird about the XM radio. if I turn vehicle off and on again that typically fixes the problem. But I have never experienced this with a new vehicle before.

Originally Reviewed on Oct 25, 2016

The trim on the top of the vehicle has started coming up and I need to take it back to the dealer. My Pilot is only three months old. This concerns me a little.

"I think it is HORRIBLE that the Pilot radio does not have the Android Auto feature that the Accord has"

Scot»TX»2016 Honda Pilot|Purchased May 2016|Verified

I think it is HORRIBLE that the Pilot radio does not have the Android Auto feature that the Accord has. They are the same\similar units and I was given the impression at the dealer that this vehicle would be able to have the same integrations between the radio and cellphone that the Accord has.

"If Honda completely fixes the transmission issues with the 9 speed, addresses the interior whining noise heard through the spea..."

Douglas»WA»2016 Honda Pilot|Purchased Dec 2015|Verified

If Honda completely fixes the transmission issues with the 9 speed, addresses the interior whining noise heard through the speakers at lower speeds, fixes the dismal performance of the FM radio and adds CarPlay to the 16 model year then I would own a flawless SUV.

"Other than that, it is a great family vehicle"

Tammy»WA»2016 Honda Pilot|Purchased Apr 2016|Verified

I love the versatility of our Pilot. We can fold down the 3rd row seats and stow camping gear or use the 3rd row to pack in more kids! We are an average family with active kids—I love knowing the Pilot will always fit my needs (even if those needs change). My only complaint is the phone Bluetooth/sync system. It is frustrating to use and tedious to make a phone call. The Pilot lacks a lot of pep when in economy mode, which I have to use to keep a reasonable gas mileage. Other than that, it is a great family vehicle.

"After driving for 7 months I am completely satisfied with my Pilot"

Perry»AZ»2016 Honda Pilot|Purchased Jan 2016|Verified

The car is comfortable, the all wheel gives me a better sense of safety. I like the good gas milage. It is easy to drive, has a good turn radius. A nice ride. After driving for 7 months I am completely satisfied with my Pilot.

Originally Reviewed on Apr 27, 2016

I like the car and its AWD feature since I live in a snow area. It is comfortable to drive and visibility is excellent.

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